Priority populations

Some groups in Queensland are at higher risk of vaccine preventable disease and its complications. Clinicians play a key role in ensuring these populations are immunised on time, with catch-up where needed, and that families are linked to culturally appropriate resources and support.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Funded immunisations for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples include:

  • influenza at all ages
  • pneumococcal immunisations
  • hepatitis A for children in some regions
  • meningococcal B for infants and young children.

For some immunisations, catch-up is available up to 20 years of age, with HPV funded to 25 years.

This population carries a higher burden of infectious disease and related complications. Clinicians should use culturally tailored tools such as ‘Bubba Jabs’ to support conversations with families. Bubba Jabs was co-designed with community, has been evaluated, and is widely used across Queensland to improve understanding and timeliness of immunisation.

Find out more about immunisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and Bubba Jabs.

Infants and children

Timely immunisation in infancy and early childhood is critical to protect against severe illness from vaccine preventable diseases. All children are eligible for routine immunisations under the National Immunisation Program, with funded catch-up available until 20 years of age and HPV until 25 years. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are eligible for additional immunisations, including influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis A in some regions, and meningococcal B. Ensuring immunisations are given on time provides the strongest protection during the most vulnerable years.

Barriers to childhood immunisation can include missed appointments, low awareness of catch-up eligibility, parental vaccine hesitancy, and difficulties accessing services due to transport, cost or family circumstances. Clinicians should emphasise the importance of timeliness, opportunistically check immunisation status, and provide clear, culturally appropriate information to parents and carers.

For more information, refer to the Immunisation Schedule Queensland childhood Immunisation. (PDF 66 kB).

Pregnant women and people

Maternal immunisation is the most effective way to protect infants against influenza, pertussis and RSV in their first months. During pregnancy, it is recommended to received:

  • Seasonal influenza (recommended at any time)
  • Pertussis (dTpa) (recommended at 20-32 weeks)
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) (recommended from 28 weeks).

These immunisations are recommended during every pregnancy, free of charge. Clinicians should actively promote and administer these immunisations at any opportunity.

For more information, refer to Immunisation during pregnancy in the Immunisation Schedule Queensland for Adults (PDF 189 kB).

Find out more about immunisation before, during and after pregnancy.

Older people

Older adults are at increased risk of serious complications from vaccine preventable diseases due to age-related changes in immunity and higher rates of chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic disease. Funded immunisations for this group include:

  • influenza from 65 years of age
  • shingles from 65 years (or from 50 years for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)
  • pneumococcal immunisations.

These immunisations play a key role in reducing hospitalisations, morbidity and mortality in older populations.

Barriers for older people can include reduced mobility, transport difficulties, lower health literacy, or fragmented care when multiple providers are involved. Some may also believe that immunisations are less important in older age or may not be aware of eligibility for funded immunisations.

Clinicians should use every health contact to check immunisation status, provide catch-up where needed, and offer clear information about the benefits of immunisation later in life.

For more information, refer to the Immunisation Schedule Queensland for Adults (PDF 189 kB).

People with clinical risk factors for severe disease or infection

People with underlying medical conditions such as chronic lung, heart, liver or kidney disease, diabetes or immunocompromise are more likely to experience severe outcomes from vaccine preventable illnesses. This group may require additional immunisations or altered schedules, including extra doses of pneumococcal and influenza immunisations, earlier shingles immunisation, or targeted protection against hepatitis. Immunisation is an important part of preventing complications and reducing hospitalisations in these patients.

Barriers can include complex care needs, frequent medical appointments that focus on acute issues, and uncertainty among patients and carers about eligibility for additional immunisations. Clinicians should proactively review immunisation history, check contraindications, and use every opportunity to provide recommended immunisations.

Where appropriate, specialist advice may be required to guide scheduling.

For more information, refer to the Immunisation Schedule Queensland for Adults (PDF 189 kB).

People from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds

People from CALD backgrounds may arrive in Australia with incomplete or uncertain immunisation histories due to differences in immunisation programs, disrupted healthcare during migration, or lack of access in their country of origin. Some may also be at increased risk of certain infections because of travel, community networks, or work and living conditions.

Catch-up immunisation is funded for all ages, providing an opportunity to restore protection quickly.

Barriers include language differences, limited health literacy, unfamiliarity with the Australian health system, and competing settlement or employment priorities. Mistrust of health services can also affect uptake. Clinicians should use interpreter services, translated resources and culturally appropriate communication to support informed decision-making and encourage timely immunisation. Building trust and linking families with local services helps reduce inequities.

For more information, refer to the Immunisation Schedule Queensland for Adults (PDF 189 kB).

LGBTQIA+ people

LGBTQIA+ communities may experience specific health risks, health inequities and barriers to accessing services. Men who have sex with men (MSM) are at higher risk of hepatitis A, hepatitis B and human papillomavirus (HPV). All are vaccine preventable, and funded immunisation is available through the National Immunisation Program for eligible age groups.

HPV immunisation is routinely offered to adolescents, with catch-up funded up to 25 years of age. Hepatitis B immunisation is recommended for all adults who have not previously received a full course, and hepatitis A immunisation is recommended for those at risk, including MSM.

In addition to the routine immunisation schedule LGBTQA+ individuals may be eligible for certain additional immunisations. It is recommended LGBTQA+ individuals discuss their immunisation requirements with their healthcare provider for personalised advice. Additional immunisations particularly for men who have sex with men (MSM) may include, but are not limited to:

Clinicians should provide safe, inclusive care and ensure immunisation discussions are part of routine preventive health for LGBTQIA+ patients. Offering a non-judgemental environment and normalising questions about immunisation history and risk factors can improve access and uptake.

For more information, refer to the Immunisation Schedule Queensland for Adults (PDF 189 kB).

Healthcare worker immunisation

Immunisation is important for healthcare workers because they are at a high risk of catching infectious diseases from people in their care.

Find out more about healthcare worker immunisation.

Last updated: 6 November 2025